Senior Support Worker

We are seeking an enthusiastic individual with a passion for improving mental health and wellbeing, experience of service coordination, strong administrative skills, has the ability to work flexibly and has a "can-do" positive approach, to lead and coordinate Derbyshire Mind's Crisis Support Drop-In Service. This is initially for a fixed term to 31st March 2027 as this service is contracted by the NHS Derby and Derbyshire Integrated Care Board but has the potential to be extended subject to a contract extension. Derbyshire Mind has been delivering this service since 2023.

Main duties of the job Derbyshire Mind's Crisis Support Drop‑In Service (CSDI), working in partnership between Derbyshire Mind and our partners, is an inclusive and supportive out‑of‑hours mental health crisis‑support service. The service provides a safe and welcoming alternative to A&E and other statutory urgent care services for any person who self‑defines as needing immediate non‑clinical help with their mental health and emotional wellbeing.

The Senior Support Worker is responsible for coordinating all aspects of the service over the three sites. The role includes:

• Line-management of members of the CSDI Team.
• Coordinating site staff and volunteer rotas, ensuring all shifts are properly and safely staffed.
• Providing staff one‑to‑ones and leading team meetings.
• Ensuring all necessary resources are maintained for the smooth running of the service.
• Collating and reporting on activity, data, and outcomes.
• Reporting staff overtime to the Head of Central Services.
• Responding to local enquiries and general service administration.
• Liaising with the Services Lead to deliver on objectives.

About us Derbyshire Mind is your local independent mental health charity. We provide a range of community mental health and wellbeing services designed to support people with mental health problems, improve mental health and wellbeing and to help promote better mental health and wellbeing for all throughout the population of Derby and Derbyshire.

Job responsibilities include:

• Leading on local service delivery of the Crisis Support Drop‑In Service.
• Line-managing all staff paid and unpaid, including ensuring all shifts are properly staffed.
• Authorising annual leave and conducting individual supervision sessions with all local staff.
• Providing emotional and wellbeing support to staff including volunteers.
• Carrying out all administrative tasks required for the proper delivery of the service.
• Creating, coordinating, and communicating rotas to all site staff and volunteers.
• Providing short‑term cover for the service by working CSDI shifts as required.
• Keeping an accurate log of staff hours worked and reporting monthly variations.
• Ensuring CSDI staff attend required clinical supervision sessions, staff meetings, and one‑to‑one sessions.
• Assisting in the recruitment and induction of new CSDI Support Workers and local volunteers.
• Providing all administrative support to the team and service.
• Proactively working to continuously improve the service.
• Ensuring that service databases are up to date.
• Supporting staff and volunteers in developing their skills and accessing training.
• Holding responsibility for local staff health, safety, and welfare.
• Managing all communications with external and partner organisations/agencies.
• Facilitating and attending both internal and external meetings.
• Playing an integral role in instilling Derbyshire Mind's values through all service provision.
• Raising awareness of the Crisis Support Drop‑In Service.
• Ensuring the service remains accessible to all individuals and groups.

Supervision, training, meetings, and support include:

• Undertaking training as required.
• Actively participating in regular clinical supervision sessions, staff/team meetings, and one‑to‑one sessions.
• Participating in Individual Performance Review and Personal Development plans.
• Being proactive in reviewing and evaluating personal performance.

General responsibilities include:

• Providing cover for other members of the CSDI team.
• Maintaining confidentiality of information about clients and other services.
• Keeping up to date on all matters relating to Derbyshire Mind's policies and procedures.
• Adhering to all health and safety management.
• Upholding Derbyshire Mind’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion principles.
• Representing and being an advocate for Derbyshire Mind.
• Carrying out any other duties within the scope of the job as requested.

Person Specification:

Experience:

• Administrative Experience: Experience of working in an administrative role; experience of coordinating a small service or team; experience of line management, supervision and development of staff; good IT and technology skills; experience of working on own initiative and as a member of a team; good interpersonal and communication skills.
• Operational Experience: Ability to gather and interpret information, problem-solve, make decisions and act; knowledge of common mental health conditions; ability to communicate with different ranges of cognitive abilities; ability to plan and manage workload; understanding of safeguarding, data protection, confidentiality and equality frameworks; ability to remain calm in stressful situations; experience of working for a mental health organisation or similar.

Ability to Work Flexibly:

• Car driver with own vehicle to get to and from site and other locations.
• Willingness and ability to work flexibly in terms of working outside of normal office hours.

Skills, Abilities & Knowledge:

• Knowledge of de-escalation techniques and resources.
• Ability to seek and acquire knowledge of local services available to attendees.
• An understanding of the principles, philosophy and practical applications of the Person-Centred Approach.
• An understanding of the issues faced by individuals from minority groups.
• Monitoring and evaluation skills.